Issues Views Reviews

The Accidental Husband – Review

October 14, 2008

The Accidental Husband reminds one faintly of Down With Love (Renee Zellweger) although it is nowhere near its class.

In Down with Love, the lead actor publishes a book advising women to do without love and the movie is about how the author finally has to eat her words. In The Accidental Husband (no spoilers), the lead actor (Uma Thurman), is Dr. Emma Lloyd is a host of a radio show/helpline on romantic matters who publishes a book on how to avoid the irresponsible men and go for sensible relationships. This, she says prevents heart-ache and subsequent divorce. She has a huge fan following, although many critics (men) as well. Their main grouse is that she looks at relationships superficially and has no right to advise anyone to break up without knowing the real situation.

Well, Emma is all set to marry someone who in her book is the ideal husband. But as luck would have it, she meets her nemesis in the form of a dashing and unpredictable fireman Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Colin Firth on the other hand is the steady, sensible, loyal boy-friend whom Emma is determined to marry. Just before their wedding, things start to go horribly wrong.

The theme of the movie (what goes into making a lasting relationship) is an interesting one but the movie does not explore it in depth. Also, there is an implication that a man who is reliable and a good husband is boring and such a premise itself exposes the hollowness of the approach of the director. But then this is a comedy – not to be taken seriously.

This movie received poor reviews (it was released several months ago in the UK and the US) and well, it does have a rather implausible story although the movie has good actors like Uma Thurman and Colin Firth.

There is something forced about this romantic comedy, right from the acting, the story, and the situations that the characters found themselves in. One does get a few laughs, but not really hearty ones. And the story is quite predictable.

Interestingly, there is an Indian family whom Patrick is a tenant with and their role is more than just a cameo. There is a little bit of Indian culture thrown in, and a bit of Indian music as well. Looks like Indians abroad have started to appear regularly in movies, and not just as cardboard cutouts of cabbies and owners of restaurants. Although Ajay Naidu (TV actor), who plays the role of Deep, is a restaurant owner, he is also a good friend of Patrick’s.

This movie is light, frothy entertainment. No depth, but for a 90 minute movie, it wasn’t terrible, considering what it set out to be.

as you know i hardly get time to see all the movies (how i envy you!! :) ) But since i can read the reviews you write atleast i get to chose which one to see!

Thanks!! :)

You are welcome Sakhi. but really there is nothing to envy me for. We see late night shows. What do you do after 9 or 10 at night? Surely you are not working! :) And yeah, we get up early too, not later than 6:30 a.m. – Nita.

I think the casting carries the baggage of Colin Firth having been cast as the brooding, moody Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice (the Jennifer Ehle version, not the one with Keeda Knightley). You can see the ‘hangover’ from that role in his casting in Bridget Jones and in other films where all he has to do is sulk and smoulder. We are not complaining but his casting helps advance the premise of ‘husband’ being boring etc.

Then again, girls, just like boys, tehelao one kind of boys and usually marry an entirely different kind. Boys just believe it is _their_ privilege to have such double standards. ;-) The truth is different.

ok The Accidental Husband off the list of to watch movies. Speaking of Thurman,have u seen The Truth about Cats and Dogs starring Uma Thurman, Ben Chaplin? It was a very nice romantic comedy.

I haven’t seen the Cats and Dogs but this one isn’t too bad you know. I am overall fairly critical of movies, whether hollywood or bollywood! I never ever suggest that someone should not see a movie as everyone has different things they are looking for and it also depends on mood. I simply try and point out the pros and cons, and well movie viewing is very subjective and it is possible to enjoy a movie even with all its flaws! :) I also do not look down on movies which purely entertain. – Nita.

As Sakhi, I envy you too. Haven’t seen a movie for ages. Too busy with my 13-month old baby. The last movie I saw was some Indian on with Tabu and Kal Penn as her son. But enjoy reading all the movie news and your blog in general whenever I getsome time. Its a great update for someone like me living in Frankfurt.

Thanks wadapaveater! And Hey, I didn’t see a movie for 6 years (in a movie hall) when I had two kids, one after another! Now as my kids are grown, I think I deserve to see late night shows. Yep, I think Sakhi must be a mom too, though she hasn’t said so. :) – Nita.

Vinod, thanks. I try to review as many as I can see in a month – which comes to around 4-5 but I prefer to see movies according to my own choice. However at times when I do the job professionally I tend to see more, even those I think aren’t that good. For example this friday I am reviewing a film for an online site, so I will be seeing a movie I would never have gone to otherwise! :) – Nita.

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